U.S. patent application number 15/045628 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for haptic feedback assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Peteris K. Augenbergs, John M. Brock, Derryk C. Davis, Jonah A. Harley, Scott J. McEuen, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel.
Application Number | 20160162030 15/045628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55584335 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160162030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patel; Dhaval Chandrakant ;
et al. |
June 9, 2016 |
HAPTIC FEEDBACK ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A haptic feedback assembly includes interconnections for
mechanically and electrically securing a haptic actuator in a track
pad assembly so as to securely and efficiently provide haptic
feedback to a user.
Inventors: |
Patel; Dhaval Chandrakant;
(Cupertino, CA) ; Harley; Jonah A.; (Cupertino,
CA) ; Augenbergs; Peteris K.; (Cupertino, CA)
; Davis; Derryk C.; (Cupertino, CA) ; McEuen;
Scott J.; (Cupertino, CA) ; Brock; John M.;
(Menlo Park, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55584335 |
Appl. No.: |
15/045628 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14792267 |
Jul 6, 2015 |
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15045628 |
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62129943 |
Mar 8, 2015 |
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62057751 |
Sep 30, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 ;
29/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/03547 20130101;
G06F 2203/04103 20130101; H05K 3/325 20130101; G06F 3/016 20130101;
G06F 2203/04105 20130101; H01F 7/126 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101;
H05K 2201/10409 20130101; G06F 1/169 20130101; G06F 3/0414
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/01 20060101
G06F003/01; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. An electronic device configured to provide haptic feedback and
comprising: a housing defining an aperture; and a trackpad at least
partially within the aperture and comprising: an input surface
movable in a plane parallel to an external surface of the housing;
an attractor coupled to the input surface; a force sensor below the
input surface; an actuator mechanically interconnected to the input
surface and configured to electromagnetically interact with the
attractor; and an electrical circuit in communication with the
actuator; wherein: in response to a signal, the electrical circuit
is configured to apply a current to the actuator to cause the input
surface to translate in the plane.
22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the input surface is
operative to provide a haptic output by translating in the
plane.
23. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the signal is
associated with an input provided by a user when the user is
exerting a force on the input surface.
24. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the current applied
to the actuator varies based on the signal.
25. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the actuator
comprises one or more electromagnets configured to attract the
attractor.
26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the actuator
comprises one or more core elements within the electromagnets.
27. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the actuator is
configured to attract the attractor in response to the signal.
28. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the force sensor
comprises four force-sensitive elements positioned along a
periphery of the input surface.
29. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the input surface is
coupled to a force assembly by a compliant structure.
30. A touch input device configured to provide haptic feedback
comprising: a force assembly; a group of force sensors positioned
below the force assembly; an input surface coupled to and at least
partially supported by at least one flexible pad coupled to the
force assembly; an attraction plate mechanically attached to the
force assembly; an actuator configured to electromagnetically
interact with the attraction plate, causing the input surface to
translate in within a plane; an electronic board electrically and
mechanically connected to the actuator; and a flexible circuit
coupling each of the group of force sensors to the electronic
board; wherein in response to an actuator drive signal, the
electronic board is configured to apply an electrical signal to the
actuator to cause the attraction plate to move toward the
actuator.
31. The touch input device of claim 30, wherein a magnitude of
movement of the attraction plate varies based on the actuator drive
signal.
32. The touch input device of claim 30, wherein the actuator drive
signal corresponds to a haptic feedback signal.
33. The touch input device of claim 30, wherein the input surface
comprises glass.
34. The touch input device of claim 30, further comprising a touch
sensor disposed below the input surface.
35. The touch input device of claim 30, wherein the force assembly
comprises an H-shaped structure.
36. The touch input device of claim 35, wherein the group of force
sensors comprises four force-sensitive elements associated with and
coupled to different locations along the H-shaped structure.
37. A method of providing haptic feedback to a user of a touch
input device, the method comprising: detecting, with a force
assembly, a force exerted on an input surface of the touch input
device; providing a current to an electromagnetic structure of an
actuator positioned adjacent to an attractor plate of the input
surface; and magnetically attracting the attractor plate toward the
electromagnetic structure, thereby causing the input surface to
translate in plane.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the operation of magnetically
attracting the attractor plate toward the electromagnetic structure
comprises providing an alternating current to the electromagnetic
structure, thereby causing the input surface to vibrate in
plane.
39. The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting, with a
touch sensor, a user touch on the input surface.
40. The method of claim 37, wherein the current is provided by an
electronic circuit coupled to the force assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional
patent application Ser. No. 14/792,267, filed Jul. 6, 2015, and
titled "Haptic Feedback Assembly" which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/057,751, filed Sep. 30, 2014
and titled "Haptic Feedback Assembly," and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/129,943, filed Mar. 8, 2015, and titled "Haptic
Feedback Assembly," the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an
electromagnetic actuator for providing haptic feedback in a
computing device, and more particularly to an electromagnetic
actuator that is mechanically and electrically secured to a
force-outputting plate.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Haptics is a tactile feedback technology that pertains to
the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations or motions to a
user. This mechanical stimulation may be used to provide tactile
feedback in response to an input command or system state. Haptic
devices may incorporate actuators that apply forces or motion for
providing touch feedback to a user.
[0004] One example of a haptic actuator provides mechanical motion
in response to an electrical stimulus. Some haptic feedback
mechanisms use mechanical technologies such as vibratory motors,
like a vibrating alert in a cell phone, in which a central mass is
moved to create vibrations at a resonant frequency. Other haptic
feedback mechanisms use force generating devices attached to a
touchpad or touchscreen to generate movement that may be sensed by
a user. The quality of the haptic feedback may depend upon the
mechanical and electrical interconnections between the haptic
feedback mechanism and the touchscreen.
SUMMARY
[0005] Tactile feedback may be provided using an actuator connected
to a touchpad. The actuator may be controlled by actuator drive
signals. As a user of an electronic device interacts with the touch
pad, the user may make gestures and perform other touch-related
tasks. When the user desires to select an on-screen object or
perform other tasks of the type traditionally associated with
button or keypad actuation events, the user may press downwards
against the surface of the track pad. When sufficient force is
detected, appropriate action may be taken and drive signals may be
applied to the actuator.
[0006] The actuator may impart movement to the touch pad. For
example, the actuator may drive a coupling member into an edge of
the planar touch pad member. Flexible pads may be formed under the
force sensors to help allow the touch pad member to move laterally
(in-plane with respect to the plane of the planar touch pad member)
when the actuator is in operation. This may improve actuator
efficiency. The actuator may move the touch pad in response to
button press and release events or in response to satisfaction of
other criteria in the electronic device.
[0007] One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form
of a method for providing haptic feedback in an electronic device.
The method includes sensing a first input force by a sensor and
providing, via a feedback mechanism, a first feedback corresponding
to the first input force, sensing a second input force by the
sensor that is at least partially in an opposite direction from the
first input force, and providing, via the feedback mechanism, a
second feedback corresponding to the second input force.
[0008] Another embodiment of the present disclosure may take the
form of a haptic device for an electronic device. The haptic device
includes a sensor configured to sense a user input and a feedback
mechanism in communication with the sensor. The feedback mechanism
is configured to provide feedback to a user. The feedback may be
varied by the feedback based upon input sensed by the sensor.
[0009] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure may take
the form of a track pad for a computing device, the computing
device including a processor. The track pad includes a touch
assembly defining a user input surface and a sensor in
communication with the processor. The sensor is configured to sense
user force on the touch assembly. The track pad further includes an
actuator connected to the touch assembly and configured to
selectively impart movement to the touch assembly. The actuator
moves the touch assembly in a direction and at a speed to provide
feedback to a user, where the feedback is based, at least in part,
on a magnitude and an acceleration of the down-stroke user input
force.
[0010] The quality of the haptic feedback provided by the actuator
is directly related to the quality of the interconnection of the
actuator to the touch assembly. Secure electrical and mechanical
connections of the actuator to the touch assembly are essential to
provide the kind of haptic feedback necessary for a quality user
experience. In some embodiments, mechanical fasteners such as
screws and washers may be used to provide secure electrical and
mechanical interconnections between the actuator and the touch
assembly of the track pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device
including a track pad;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer
system;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a touch assembly which
includes touchpad connected to an actuator by a force assembly;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a force
assembly, touch assembly, and actuator;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
4 shown in an assembled implementation with an actuator
interconnected with a force assembly;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of one embodiment of an interconnect
point of FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an
interconnect point of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 8, is one embodiment of the electromagnetic connection
between the actuator and device board;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a
force assembly, touch assembly, and actuator assembly;
[0020] FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the embodiment of FIG.
9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 10
taken along the lines 11-11;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating one method for
manufacturing a track pad; and
[0023] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an alternate method for
manufacturing a track pad.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The present disclosure may be understood by reference to the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
drawings as briefly described below. It is noted that, for purposes
of illustrative clarity, certain elements in the drawings may not
be drawn to scale. Like reference numerals denote like structure
throughout each of the various figures.
[0025] When a user interacts with a portable electronic device, he
or she may be asked to provide certain inputs to the portable
electronic device in order for that device to determine the needs
and/or wishes of the user. For example, a user may be asked to
indicate which of various applications (apps) that the user wishes
to access. These apps may be icons on a touchscreen and the user
may touch one of these icons to select and access that app. A user
may also be prompted to adjust certain functions of the portable
electronic device such as sound, picture quality, and the like.
This may be done by touching an indicator displayed on a
touchscreen and associated with that function. In some applications
on a portable electronic device, a user may be prompted to touch
numbers or letters on a touchscreen to provide specific input to
the portable electronic device. For example a user may spell a word
or complete a form by entering a mark in a certain location.
[0026] In all of the above situations, a user wants to ensure that
the appropriate app icon or portion of the screen that represents
his or her true intention is touched. In order to satisfy this need
for confirmation, the user may desire physical confirmation of this
touch. Such physical confirmation could be made visually by the
portable electronic device, which may confirm on a display screen
that the user instructions have been received. Similarly and in
some embodiments, the user may wish to receive physical
confirmation in the form of haptic feedback from the portable
electronic device that his or her commands or inputs have been
received. This feedback may be made in the form of tactile feedback
by applying forces, vibrations or motions from the portable
electronic device to the person of the user. In some embodiments,
this force or vibration is applied to the body part of the user
that is in contact with, or otherwise accessible by, the portable
electronic device. In some embodiments, this accessible portion is
the finger or fingers of a user that may be in contact with the
touchscreen of the device during the process of making the
selection of the app or other function that he or she wishes to
select. In order to provide this haptic feedback, some portable
electronic devices may incorporate actuators that apply forces or
motion to a track pad or touchscreen and in turn to provide touch
feedback to a user.
[0027] Generally, embodiments described herein may take the form of
a haptic assembly for providing haptic feedback to a user. A haptic
actuator may provide the haptic output in response to an input
signal or an output signal, or as part of an output signal. The
actuator may vary its output in order to shape and control the
haptic response and thus the sensation experienced by a user. In
some embodiments, the actuator may be electromagnetically
controlled. Embodiments described herein may be incorporated into a
variety of electronic or electrical devices, such as a track pad,
mouse, display, or other input (or output) device. The haptic
device may be incorporated into an electronic device such as a
laptop computer, smart phone, digital music player, tablet
computing device, portable computing device, feedback or outputs
for appliances, automobiles, touchscreens, and the like.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a portable electronic device may take
the form of a laptop computer system 11 and typically includes a
display 21 mounted on a housing 22. Display 21 may provide an image
or video output for the electronic device 11. Display 21 may be
substantially any size and may be positioned substantially anywhere
on the electronic device 11. In some embodiments, the display 21
may be a liquid crystal display screen, plasma screen, light
emitting diode screen, and so on. The display 21 may also function
as an input device in addition to displaying output from the
electronic device 21. For example, display 21 may include
capacitive touch sensors, infrared touch sensors, or the like that
may capture a user's input to the display 21. In these embodiments,
a user may press on the display 21 in order to provide input to the
electronic device 11. In alternate embodiments display 21 may be
separate from or otherwise external to the electronic device 11,
but may be in communication therewith to provide a visual output
for the electronic device.
[0029] Referring again to FIG. 1, computer system 11 further may
include user interfaces such as a keyboard 23 to allow a user to
provide input to computer system 11. For example, one type of input
may be a user's touch or amount of force exerted on a track pad 14
by a user's finger 24, and another type of input may be based on an
accelerometer within the electronic device 11. In addition to
varying the feedback provided to a user, the haptic device and/or
the processor of the electronic device may register different
inputs to the haptic device differently. In other words, as the
user varies his or her input to receive different types of
feedback, those various inputs may also be registered by the system
as different from one another.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a computer system
including a haptic device in accordance with a sample embodiment.
The computer system 11 includes a processing unit 12, a controller
13, and a track pad 14. Controller 13 may execute instructions and
carry out operations associated with portable electronic devices as
are described herein. Using instructions from device memory,
controller 13 may regulate the reception and manipulation of input
and output data between components of electronic device 11.
Controller 13 may be implemented in a computer chip or chips.
Various architectures can be used for controller 13 such as
microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)
and so forth. While computer system includes a processor 12 and
controller 13, in some embodiments the functions of controller 13,
as described herein, may be implemented by processing unit 12 and
controller 13 may be omitted. Controller 13 together with an
operating system may execute computer code and manipulate data. The
operating system may be a well-known system such as iOS, Windows,
Unix or a special purpose operating system or other systems as are
known in the art. Controller 13 may include memory capability to
store the operating system and data. Controller 13 may also include
application software to implement various functions associated with
portable electronic device 11.
[0031] Track pad 14 may include at least one optional position
sensor 16, at least one touch sensor 17, and at least one force
sensor 18, and one or more actuators 19 as well as a track pad
plate surface 15. Touch sensor 17 may, in some embodiments be a
capacitive sensor that senses a finger or other touch through
either mutual or self-capacitance. In other embodiments, a strain
gauge, resistive sensor, optical sensor, and the like may be used
to sense a touch.
[0032] In some embodiments, the position sensor(s) 16 may be an
accelerometer, motion sensor, optical sensor, Hall sensor,
capacitive sensor, or the like. Each of the touch sensor(s) 17, the
position sensor(s) 16, the force sensor(s) 18 and actuator 19 are
coupled to the track pad 14 and controller 13 and/or processing
unit 12. Force sensors 18 may be configured to determine an input
force that may be exerted on the haptic device by a user, and the
acceleration sensor 16 may be configured to determine an input
speed and/or acceleration of the input force exerted on the haptic
device by the user.
[0033] Touch sensors 17, which, in one embodiment, may be
capacitive sensors, may determine the location of one or more
touches by a user on the haptic device. The touch sensor(s) 17 and
the force sensor(s) 18 detect the location and force of the touch
on the track pad 14 respectively and send corresponding signals to
the controller 13. The actuation member 19 may be in communication
with processor 12 and/or the input sensors and may provide movement
to all or a portion of the surface of track pad 14 in response to
one or more signals from the processor. For example, the actuator
19 may be responsive to one or more input signals and move the
feedback surface in various manners based on the one or more input
signals. It should be appreciated that the force sensor(s) 18 may
detect non-binary amounts of force. That is, exerted force may be
detected across a continuum of values ranging from a minimum to a
maximum. The force may be absolutely determined or correlated
within this continuum, or the force may be assigned to one of a
number of levels or bands within the continuum. In this manner the
track pad 14 may be different from a switch or other conventional
input device that is either closed or open, or on or off, or the
like.
[0034] In some embodiments, the force sensor 18 may be a capacitive
sensor. Such a sensor may detect force either through mutual
capacitance or self-capacitance. The force sensor 18 may include
multiple electrodes separated by a gap, in one embodiment. The
electrodes may be formed in an array, as sheets, a single pair of
electrodes, a structure divided into subsets of electrodes, and so
on. Typically, the gap separates paired electrodes (e.g., one
electrode of each pair is located at a corresponding side of the
gap) although this is not necessary. The gap may be an air gap, a
gel, a foam, and so on.
[0035] As a force is exerted on a surface of the haptic device (or
other associated device), the gap may compress and the electrodes
on either side of the gap may move closer to one another. The
reduction in distance between the electrodes may increase a
capacitance between the electrodes; this increase in capacitance
may be correlated to the force exerted on the surface. Alternately,
a single row or layer of electrodes may be positioned on one side
of the gap. Capacitance between an object exerting force on the
surface and one or more electrodes may increase as the gap
decreases, which occurs as the force increases. Again, the change
in capacitance may be correlated to an exerted force. It should be
appreciated that increases in distance (e.g., increases in gap) may
be correlated to decreasing force.
[0036] In still other embodiments, the force sensor 18 may be an
ultrasonic force sensor. Ultrasonic energy may be emitted toward
the surface of the track pad 14 (or other structure or device). The
amount of reflected energy may vary as an object contacts the
surface and/or as an object exerts force on the surface.
Accordingly, the amount of energy received by an ultrasonic
receiver maybe correlated to an exerted force.
[0037] In yet other embodiments, the force sensor may be an optical
force sensor, a resistive force sensor, a strain sensor, a
pyroelectric sensor, and so on. As another example, the force
sensor 18 may be one or more strain gauges. As force is exerted on
the structure, the force may be transmitted through one or more
legs or other supports. These legs may bend or otherwise deflect in
response to the exerted force. A strain gauge may be mounted to a
leg, or one strain gauge to each leg, or any combination of strain
gauges may be mounted to any combination of legs. Deformation of
the legs may bend the strain gauges and thus induce a measurable
strain. The greater the exerted force, the greater the deformation
and the greater the strain. In this manner, strain may be
correlated to force in a non-binary fashion.
[0038] As one example of the foregoing, FIG. 4 shows an exploded
view of a sample track pad with the outer surface of the pad at the
bottom of the figure (e.g., the exploded view is upside down such
that the interior of the track pad is at the top of FIG. 4). The
force assembly 26 may define multiple legs therein and a strain
gauge may be mounted on each leg. As force is exerted on the track
pad surface, the legs formed in the force assembly 26 may deflect
or deform in the aforementioned manner. Each leg may have a strain
gauge mounted thereon (not shown) to measure the corresponding
strain in order to estimate an exerted force.
[0039] Some embodiments described herein may take the form of a
haptic device for use with an associated electronic device such as
computer system 11. The haptic device may vary output provided to
the user based on a number of different inputs to the haptic
device. Additionally, the haptic device may vary one or more inputs
provided to the computer device 11 based on the user inputs. Inputs
to computer device 11 may include a processor or device command
based on a system state, application activity, sensor data, and so
on. Thus, the haptic device may adapt the feedback, as well as the
types of input provided to computer 11 from the haptic device,
based on one or more characteristics, settings, or inputs (as
provided to a particular application).
[0040] As another example, the haptic device may provide varying
feedback depending on the particular application running on the
electronic device, the force input member (e.g., index finger,
thumb, palm of the user), the amount of input force, the speed or
acceleration of the input force, the length of time an input force
is applied, location of the electronic device, and/or various other
types of data inputs that may be provided to the haptic device, to
the electronic device, or a combination of both. It should be noted
that the data inputs to vary the output of the haptic device may be
provided by a user, the haptic device, and/or the electronic device
11.
[0041] One embodiment for providing haptic feedback is described
below. When using track pad 14 to provide input to the computer
system 11, a user may move his or her finger 24 on track pad 14 to
a desired location. The user may also touch track pad 14 at a
desired location to provide input. Touch sensor(s) 17 and the force
sensor(s) 18 detect the location and force of the touch on track
pad 14 respectively and generate corresponding signals sent to the
controller 13. Controller 13 communicates with processing unit 12
inside computer system 11 and processing unit 12 may generally
instruct controller 13 with respect to certain operations. As one
non-limiting example, processing unit 12 and controller 13 in
combination may use these signals to determine if the location of
the touch correlates with a specific application or a user
interface (UI) element. If the location is within the range for the
specific application or Ul element, processing unit 12 further
determines if the force signal is above a threshold. If so,
processor 12 may validate the force signal as a selection of the
application of UI element. In other words, if the force signal is
not a false signal, then controller 13 activates actuator 19, which
moves the surface of the track pad 14 beneath the user's finger 24.
The user may sense this motion, thereby experiencing haptic
feedback in response to the application or Ul element selection.
Position sensor 16 detects how much track pad 14 moves relative to
the actuator 19 after an actuation event, or vice versa, and may be
omitted in some embodiments.
[0042] In another embodiment, track pad 14 may detect a user input,
such as a user touch or a user force. In this example,
substantially any type of detected user input may be used to
provide feedback to the user. Based on the user input, track pad 14
may be activated by the processor 12 to move or vibrate to provide
haptic feedback to a user. In some instances, the user input may be
correlated to a specific application or UI element, in which case
the location of the user input may be analyzed to determine if
feedback is desired. In other instances, the mere detection of a
user input may be sufficient to initiate haptic feedback. It should
be noted that haptic feedback may be provided in response not only
to a user input, an example of which is provided above, but also in
response to system operation, software status, a lack of user
input, passage of user input over Ul elements(s) (e.g., dragging a
cursor over a window, icon, or the like), and/or any other
operating condition of computer system 11.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic of a track pad 14 with an
actuator 19 is shown. As mentioned above, the quality of the haptic
feedback provided to a user may depend upon the quality of the
interconnections, both electrical and mechanical, that secure
actuator 19 to the user-sensing surface, which may be track pad 14.
In one embodiment, one or more actuators 19 are positioned below
track pad 14 and coupled thereto by a force assembly 26 to provide
vibratory or other motion to touchpad 14. In another embodiment,
actuators 19 may be positioned apart from track pad 14 and coupled
by a force assembly 26 thereto. The coupling of track pad 14 to
actuator 19 by force assembly 26 in either embodiment will be
described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 4-13.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, an exploded view of
an input device including a force assembly, 26, touch assembly 25,
and actuator 19, is shown. An attraction plate 27 and an electronic
device board 28 are also shown. The interaction of actuator 19 and
attraction plate 27 provide a haptic output to touch assembly 25
when the actuator 19 is energized; generally, the actuator may
magnetically attract the attraction plate 27, thereby moving the
track pad 14. When the actuator 19 is de-energized, it no longer
magnetically attracts the plate 27 and the track pad 14 may be
returned to its neutral/unloaded position by a restoring force
exerted by a gel plate or gel structures.
[0045] The attraction plate 27 may be affixed to the force assembly
while the actuator is affixed to the touch assembly 25 or other
surface of the track pad. Flexible structures 52 may attach the
track pad (and more specifically a structural layer of the track
pad) to the arms formed in the force assembly 26. The flexible pads
may transmit a force exerted on the surface of the input device to
the legs, shown as extensions within C-shaped cuts formed in the
force assembly 18. Force sensors 18 mounted on the legs may measure
the force. Typically, the force sensors 18 may be positioned near
the contact point of the flexible structures 52 with the legs,
although this is not necessary.
[0046] The legs may be formed unitarily with the rest of the force
assembly 26 by cutting a series of C-shaped trenches into the force
assembly; each such trench defines a unique leg in the current
embodiment. The force assembly 18 may be connected to a structural
part of an associated electronic device, such as an interior plate
or housing. Thus, the legs may permit some flexure or displacement
of the track pad surface with respect to the force assembly by
bending or otherwise deforming. As previously mentioned, this
deformation may be sensed by one or more force sensor 18 and used
to determine or estimate an exerted force.
[0047] A support structure may sit between the flexible structures
52 and the touch assembly 25. The support structure may be formed
as a square or rectangle with diagonal cross beams forming an
X-shape in the middle of the support structure (e.g., extending
from one diagonally opposing corner to another). This particular
shape may stiffen the track pad while still permitting the transfer
of force to the force sensor(s) 18 and may be lighter than a planar
support structure.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 5, a side view of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 4 is shown in an assembled implementation with
actuator 19 interconnected with force assembly 26 at interconnect
points 29 which will be further described below in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Actuator 19 is also securely connected, both electromagnetically
and mechanically to board 28 at interconnect points 31 which will
be further described below in FIG. 8. As stated above, the secure
interconnection of actuator 19 to both force assembly 26 and
electronic board 28 is important to ensure that quality haptic
feedback is provided to a user of electronic device 11 by
interacting with touch pad assembly 25 including touchpad surface
14.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a side view of
interconnect point 29 of FIG. 5 is shown in an expanded view.
Actuator 19 is shown mechanically interconnected to force assembly
26 by a mechanical fastener such as a screw 32. Screw 32 may be
threaded into insert 33 which is attached to, and part of, force
assembly 26. Insert 33 may be glued, press fit, or otherwise
attached to force assembly 26. A spacer 34 may be included between
actuator 19 and force assembly 26 to facilitate connection of
actuator 19 with force assembly 26. This secure mechanical
interconnection between actuator 19 and force assembly 26 results
in vibrational, lateral, or other movement by actuator 19 being
efficiently transferred to force assembly 26 and thence to touch
assembly 25 such that a user may benefit from haptic feedback as
described herein.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, a side view of an alternate embodiment
of interconnect point 29 of FIG. 6 is shown in an expanded view. In
this embodiment, in addition to screw 32 which is threaded into
insert 33 and used to connect actuator 19 to force assembly 26, a
washer 35 may be used to further interconnect actuator 19 to force
assembly 26. Washer 35 may be a plastic ring that is press fit into
a recess 36 in actuator 19. Threaded insert 33 fits into washer 35
such that shifting movement of actuator 19 with respect to force
assembly 26 is minimized or eliminated. That is, tighter tolerances
than would otherwise be achievable may be maintained by use of
washer 35 which in one embodiment, may be a plastic ring which may
be pliable so as to reduce or eliminate gaps between insert 33 and
actuator 19. Movement of actuator 19 in the lateral direction as
indicated by arrows 37 may thus be accomplished without movement of
actuator 19 in recess 36 between actuator 19 and insert 33.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the electromagnetic
connection between actuator 19 and device board 28 is illustrated
by an expanded view of interconnect points 31 from FIG. 5. In one
embodiment, an electrically conductive mechanical fastener such as
a screw 38 is used to connect actuator 19 and circuit board 28
through an electrically conductive emboss element 39. Screw 38
provides an electrical path from actuator printed circuit board
(PCB) 41 to embossed portion 39 then to screw 38 and thence to
circuit board 28. In this manner a secure electromagnetic
interconnection may be made between circuit board 28 and actuator
board 41.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 9, an exploded view of an alternate
embodiment of an input device including a force assembly 42, touch
assembly 43, and actuator 44, is shown. An attraction plate 45 and
an electronic device board 46 are also shown. The interaction of
force assembly 42, actuator 44, and attraction plate 45 provide the
force to touch assembly 43 as energized through device board 46 and
generally as described above with respect to other embodiments.
Touch assembly 43 includes glass cover layer/top plate 47, touch
sensor layer 48 and touch grounding layer 49, which may also be a
stiffening or structural support layer in certain embodiments. An
electrostatic discharge clip (or other structure) 51 may be
attached between attraction plate 45 and force sensor assembly 42.
In some embodiments, the clip 51 may be made from metal, a
conductive alloy, a conductive ceramic, a stiff nonconductive
material having a conductive path formed therein, or the like. In
other embodiments, the clip 51 may be formed from a conductive
fabric and attached to the plate 45 and assembly 42 with a
conductive adhesive. The use of a conductive fabric may permit the
clip 51 to move, bend or flex with operation of the device or as
components shift with respect to one another over time.
[0053] The force assembly 42 may be H-shaped, as shown in FIG. 9.
This shape may permit or enhance localized bending of the force
assembly in a region or regions occupied by the force sensor(s) 18,
thereby enhancing the ability of the sensor(s) to detect force.
Insofar as the force sensor(s) are located on the underside of the
force assembly in the view shown in FIG. 9, they are not visible in
the figure.
[0054] Certain embodiments may incorporate a stiffener to stiffen
and/or stabilize any or all of the force assembly 42, touch
assembly 43, actuator 44, and/or top plate 47. The stiffener 50 may
be affixed to any of a number of elements of the force assembly 42.
For example, it may be attached to the force assembly 42 near or
adjacent to the attraction plate 45. In other embodiments, the
stiffener may be affixed between the force sensor assembly 42 and
the top plate 43 (or a touch assembly, flex, adhesive or other
layer affixed to the top plate 43). Such an embodiment is shown in
cross-section in FIG. 11, for example. The stiffener 50 may be
formed from any suitable material, examples of which include carbon
fiber, steel, aluminum, ceramics, and so on. The stiffener 50 may
be used in a variety of embodiments, including that shown in FIG.
4.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 10, the exploded view of FIG. 9 is shown
assembled and from a bottom view. Circuit board 46 is soldered to
actuator 44 at solder pads 53 to provide the electrical power
connection for actuator 44. Force assembly 42 contacts touch
assembly 43 at flexible pads 52 (FIG. 9) which may be compliant
foam or gel pads. Thus, force assembly 42 may move laterally at
least somewhat with respect to top plate 47, insofar as lateral
motion of the force assembly 42 may apply a shear force to the gel
or foam pads 52.
[0056] Actuator 44 is securely mechanically attached to board 46 by
a pair of screws 54. This secure mechanical interconnection between
actuator 44 and board 46 results in vibrational, lateral, or other
movement by actuator 44 being efficiently transferred to force
assembly 42 and then to touch assembly 43 through actuator 44 and
attraction plate 45 which is securely fastened to force assembly 42
by a pair of pins 55 shown in FIG. 10. This secure interconnection
ensures that a user may benefit from more precise haptic feedback
as described herein.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 11, a side sectional view of the assembly
taken along the lines 11-11 in FIG. 10 is shown. Screw 54 is shown
mechanically securing actuator 44 to device board assembly 46. To
provide haptic feedback, actuator 44 electromagnetically moves
attraction plate 45 that is secured to force assembly 42 at pins
55. Moving force assembly 42 in turn causes haptic feedback by
moving the overall structure of the track pad. It should be
appreciated that the force assembly 42 is connected to the touch
assembly 43 by gel pads 52 while actuator 44 is affixed to board 46
and, ultimately, to plate 49 by mechanical fasteners. Thus, when
actuator 44 magnetically attracts actuation plate 45, the two may
move closer to one another. This may induce a motion in the touch
assembly 43, since it is rigidly affixed to the actuator 44.
Essentially, the actuator 44 may move towards the attraction plate
45, which may be rigidly and/or fixedly connected to a portion of
an enclosure or otherwise prevented from moving.
[0058] The motion of the actuator 44, board 46 and touch assembly
43 toward the plate 45 and force assembly 42 causes the gel pads 52
to shear. When the actuator is de-energized, the gel pads exert a
restoring force that moves the actuator (and thus the majority of
the track pad, including touch assembly) away from the attraction
plate 45. Accordingly, rapidly energizing and de-energizing the
actuator may cause the track pad to repeatedly move back and forth
quickly, thereby providing a haptic output to a person touching the
track pad.
[0059] By securely attaching actuator 44 to board assembly 46, the
electrical interconnections, which may be solder joints 53, do not
loosen or sever from either device board assembly 46 or actuator
44. Thus, haptic feedback can be securely and reliably provided to
finger 24 of a user of track pad 14 on an electronic device such as
device 11.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 12, a method for manufacturing a track pad
including a haptic feedback device includes providing a touch
assembly at step 56 which may include a ground plate 49 that may
also provide structural stiffness to the track pad, a sensor plate,
and a glass plate for contact by a user's person. At step 57, an
actuator is connected to the force assembly. In some embodiments
the actuator may be mechanically connected by screws to provide
secure interconnection of the actuator with the force assembly.
This secure mechanical interconnection between actuator and force
assembly results in vibrational, lateral, or other movement by the
actuator being efficiently transferred to the force assembly. In
some embodiments a washer may be used to further interconnect the
actuator to the force assembly. The washer may be a plastic ring
that is press fit into a recess in the actuator. A threaded insert
may be used to fit into the washer such that shifting movement of
the actuator with respect to the force assembly is minimized or
eliminated. That is, tighter tolerances than would otherwise be
achievable may be maintained by use of the washer, which in one
embodiment may be a pliable plastic ring may be that reduces or
eliminates gaps between the insert and the actuator.
[0061] At step 58, a device board is securely connected to the
force assembly also by means of screws. In one embodiment, an
electrically conductive screw is used to connect actuator and
circuit board through an electrically conductive emboss element.
Screw provides an electrical path from the actuator printed circuit
board (PCB) to the embossed portion and then to the screw and
circuit board. In this manner a secure electromagnetic
interconnection may be made between the circuit board and the
actuator board. The touch assembly is associated with a force
assembly in step 59 which may include placement of flexible pads
52, which may be a foam or gel pad, between the force assembly and
the touch assembly.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 13 an alternate method for manufacturing a
track pad including a haptic feedback device includes providing a
touch assembly at step 61 which includes glass cover layer, plastic
(PET) touch sensor layer, and a touch grounding layer which may
also provide structural stiffness in certain embodiments. At step
62, a circuit board is soldered to the actuator to provide the
electrical power connection for actuator. In some embodiments the
actuator may be securely mechanically connected to the circuit
board by screws.
[0063] In step 63, the attraction plate is securely fastened to the
force assembly by pins, thereby resulting in vibrational, lateral,
or other movement by the actuator being efficiently transferred to
the force assembly and then to the touch assembly through the
actuator. In step 64, the touch assembly is associated with the
force assembly that may include the placement of flexible pads 52
which may be one or more foam or gel pads between force assembly
and touch assembly.
[0064] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled
in the art that the specific details are not required in order to
practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing
descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the
precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that many modifications and variations are
possible in view of the above teachings.
* * * * *